SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Fist-pumping Johnny Cueto pitched a five-hitter and
retired his final 17 batters, and the San Francisco Giants gained ground in the
playoff race with a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night.
The Cardinals’ loss clinched the NL Central title for the Chicago Cubs.
Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer, Cueto (16-5) had a go-ahead sacrifice fly in
the fourth and Angel Pagan followed with an RBI single. Denard Span added a
two-run single in the seventh for San Francisco.
The Giants gained a game on the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, who are
ahead by four after losing at Arizona.
San Francisco also moved a game ahead of the Mets in the chase for the top NL
wild card and two games up on the Cardinals.
St. Louis opened a 10-game road trip, its last of 2016.
The series in San Francisco continues Friday night. Luke Weaver (1-2) starts
for the Cardinals while Matt Moore (10-11) goes for the Giants. Game time is
9:15 with the pre-game at 8:20 on KTLO-AM.
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